My weight loss journey with soy proteins

I have always been on the plumper side and have been called everything from chubby cheeks to straight up moti. I don’t let it affect me much. My argument was as long as I am healthy, it was ok to have a little flab. It was during an annual check-up a year ago,  that my doctor informed me that my BMI or Body Mass Index was very high teetering towards obesity.

I felt shocked, angry and upset all at the same time. Shocked because I never thought my weight would go out of hand, angry because according to me I had relatively healthy habits and upset because I knew that the journey towards weight loss would be difficult.

I spent the first few months going on one crazy diet after another and then ending it with binge eating. My weight fluctuated and my health went for a toss.

It is only in the past three months that I have managed to strike a balance and have been able to work positively towards weight loss.

I used to weigh 69 kgs and I am currently down to 66 kgs. Losing these three kgs was one the most difficult things that I have had to do. Every day is an internal battle between eating right and eating what makes me happy. I have come to realize that moderation is key when it comes to weight loss.

Off late, I have been chronicling my weight loss journey on my social media platforms. You may have noticed that I have been talking about soya beans and soy proteins very frequently. One of the important things that I am doing as a part of my weight loss journey was substituting the food I loved with a healthier version. Soy proteins and soy-based products are an important part of my diet. Here are 5 reasons why.

i)Protein-rich diet leads to weight loss

High protein diet satiates us and keeps the hunger cravings at bay. High protein diets also help reduce belly fat (A problem area for me) and increase lean muscle mass. A study published in Obesity Science and Practice revealed that a high protein diet is vital to maintain weight loss. The study revealed that “lean sources of high-quality protein, such as soy, support improvements in body composition with greater loss of fat tissue versus lean tissue.”

ii) Soy proteins are good for your health

Soy proteins is a plant-based protein which contains all the amino acids as well as antioxidants like isoflavones.

iii) Soy proteins help you maintain your weight

Losing weight is easy enough. Maintaining your weight is what is tough. After shedding the first few kgs, I became complacent. I went back to my old eating habits which led to a sudden spike in my weight. Hames O. HIill, PhD in a study said, “A major take-home message from this study is that people following a plant-inclusive or plant-based high-protein diet can be successful in reducing body weight”

iv) Soy food helps lower cholesterol

Soy foods help in lowering LDL or bad cholesterol along with weight control. A study conducted at the University of Alabama said that people lost equal amounts of weight and equal inches of belly fat when using soy proteins and soy-based products as meal replacements as compared to when they had animal-based protein.

v) Soy proteins help reduce obesity

A study conducted on the Role of dietary soy protein in obesity which was published the International journal of medical sciences proved that “Soy protein ingestion also improves insulin resistance, the hallmark of obesity.

Dietary soy protein and some of its constituents also reduce plasma lipids and fat accumulation in liver and adipose tissue, which may reduce the risks of atherosclerosis and lipotoxicity and possibly other obesity-related complications.”

Simply put, consumption of soy proteins can help you lose weight and can help individuals with obesity overcome other health complications.

I will continue chronicling my journey of weight loss on my blog. There are plenty many ways to help you easily incorporate soy and soy proteins in your diet. Don’t forget to read further about the benefits of soy proteins.

For any questions, feel free to comment below or write to me 🙂